Writing Prompt Ideas to Inspire Young Writers

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This post is written by contributing writer Becky @ This Reading Mama.

Writing can be one of those dreaded subjects.  Sometimes, kids simply don’t know what to write about.  Let’s just keep it real- sometimes we as their teacher don’t know what to have our kids write either!  That’s the beauty of writing prompts.  I’m not referring to dry prompts that suck the creativity and life right out of writing; but prompts that provide a foundation or stepping stone to inspire our young writers.  Here are a few of my writing prompt suggestions:

Real-Life Experiences

Thank You Notes or Cards

One way to prompt some writing is through real life experiences.  Maybe your child just had a birthday and received girts or cards with money.  Encourage her to use that as an opportunity to practice some gratitude while writing thank you notes.  Maybe you know a shut-in who needs some extra encouragement.  Cards of encouragement with Scripture Verses or “thinking about you” cards make great writing prompts.

Practical Day-to-Day Writing

Maybe you can inspire your child to write by integrating authentic prompts into your day.  Ask your child to create a list as you head to the store.  As your child answers the phone, ask her to write down the phone message.   In the morning, encourage your child to create a to-do list of the chores or things that need to be accomplished during that day.

Field Trips

Did you just take a field trip?  Use that as a writing prompt!  You and your child could create a scrapbook together with captions by the pictures or you can use Upside Down Homeschooling’s Field Trip Report page.

Younger kids can write their favorite part of the field trip down or simply write predictable sentences based on this prompt, “On our trip, I saw…”  Based on pictures that you took while you were there, kids can also retell the field trip by sequencing the photos and writing about them.

Write About Yourself

Encourage kids to keep a Writer’s Notebook or even a daily journal of the things that happen to them.  Even the mundane things can be used as a spark to begin a storybook adventure.  Many times, “real” authors use things that have happened to them to create a character or storyline.   Kids can also write a list of subjects for which they feel they are experts.  These subjects can serve as prompts to get them writing.

Great Literature

Reading and interacting with great literature is also a great springboard or prompt for more writing!  Someone {I wish I knew who} coined this as “standing on the shoulders” of authors.  Three simple of examples include 1- piggyback stories, 2- writings that interact with characters, or 3- continuing the storyline further or writing a sequel {such as in Duck on a Bike as he’s staring at a tractor on the last page.  Could a sequel, Duck on a Tractor, be written?}

Seasonal Writing Prompts

Finding creative and fun seasonal writing prompts can also be a good option for inspiring young writers.

Last summer, I created these FREE Write and Color prompt pages for June, July and August.  Once the student uses the writing prompt, he colors in that part of the picture.  My goal in creating these was to keep my own son writing throughout the summer.  You can click on the picture or HERE to download them. {I do have plans to create prompts for each month of the year.}  The Teacher’s Corner has some great prompts for each month of the year as well.

Writing can be intimidating to kids.  As the blank paper stares them in the face, they realize that their brain can feel just as blank.  Creative and authentic writing prompts can inspire the young writer to create, explore, and write!

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